A NASA astronaut's wristwatch worn aboard the first Apollo mission in 1968 has been returned to the Smithsonian, nearly three decades after it was stolen from a museum in Ecuador.

The Omega Speedmaster Professional chronograph, which astronaut Donn Eisele was issued to wear on board the Apollo 7 mission into Earth orbit, is now back in the custody of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The watch was recovered with the help of space history enthusiasts, who provided the authorities with information about the chronograph's status and location.

Jurg BolliMember

Posts: 849From: Albuquerque, NMRegistered: Nov 2000

posted 11-16-2017 08:44 AM
Very nice to hear that it is back.

TLIGuyMember

Posts: 160From: VirginiaRegistered: Jul 2013

posted 11-16-2017 12:42 PM
This is a great story with a fantastic ending. Well done to all those involved in the return of the watch to its proper home.

Larry McGlynnMember

Posts: 1069From: Boston, MARegistered: Jul 2003

posted 11-16-2017 02:56 PM
Robert, that is a really great job in recovery of the watch. It's been missing for almost 30 years. It proves a couple of points. Artifacts never stay hidden forever and everyday people can help in the recovery of stolen objects.

Very good article and great job gathering the disparate groups together to get that watch back. Semper V!

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 38370From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 11-16-2017 03:27 PM
Thanks Larry. It has been incredibly rewarding to play a small role in the return of Eisele's Speedmaster and to be able to share the story of its recovery.

bruceMember

Posts: 902From: Fort Mill, SC, USARegistered: Aug 2000

posted 11-16-2017 03:50 PM
Good on you, Robert!

328KFMember

Posts: 1092From: Registered: Apr 2008

posted 11-16-2017 04:43 PM
Great story and article. A question on Eisele's other Speedmaster that was sold at auction. If it was a "personal" watch, why was it engraved with a NASA serial number (#38)?

Was it NASA property that was released to him?

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 38370From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 11-16-2017 05:46 PM
The history behind no. 38 is not clear. NASA does not have record of it flying or being issued to Eisele, and it was never among the chronographs transferred to the Smithsonian.

There are photos from the day of the Apollo 7 launch and post-recovery that show Eisele wearing two watches, so there is some reason to believe it flew on Apollo 7, but without Eisele around to fill in the details, its full provenance is likely to remain elusive.

posted 11-17-2017 02:36 AM
This is a terrific story. Great work Robert.

Charlie16Member

Posts: 458From: ItalyRegistered: Dec 2010

posted 11-17-2017 06:22 AM
Very nice! Even Walt Cunningham will be happy to hear this! Thanks Robert for sharing the story.

PhilipMember

Posts: 5638From: Brussels, BelgiumRegistered: Jan 2001

posted 11-17-2017 02:36 PM
105.012-63 or 105.012-66?

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 38370From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 11-17-2017 02:51 PM
The details concerning the watch and its condition may be available once the Speedmaster can be inspected in the Smithsonian's conservation lab.

TLIGuyMember

Posts: 160From: VirginiaRegistered: Jul 2013

posted 11-20-2017 04:21 PM
Great to see Hodinkee picked up the story including a link to the cS article on their main page this afternoon.

SkythingsMember

Posts: 216From: Registered: Jun 2014

posted 11-21-2017 06:20 AM
Heard about it this morning on Coast To Coast with George Noory. Recovered with the help of Space Historians.

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 38370From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 11-21-2017 12:28 PM
CBS News Radio's Peter King interviewed me and ran a brief clip about the news. You can listen to it here.

DG27Member

Posts: 118From: USARegistered: Nov 2010

posted 11-28-2017 05:09 AM
It is sad when history is lost, but it is tragic when history is stolen. Thank you for your efforts in helping to recover a piece of history. Congratulations Robert. Very cool!